Endangered Species Coalition, Author at Endangered Species Coalition

Trump Administration Declares a War on Wildlife with Nomination of Brian Nesvik

Endangered Species Coalition — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:01:01 +0000

Last week, the Senate confirmed Brian Nesvik as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While his appointment was endorsed by some within the traditional wildlife community, the Endangered Species Coalition and numerous conservation partners strongly opposed his confirmation based on his track record of undermining federal protections for imperiled wildlife and prioritizing extractive interests over science-based recovery.

Brian Nesvik has long championed efforts that weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including campaigns to prematurely delist gray wolves, eliminate habitat protections, and sideline federal oversight, all while serving the interests of politically powerful industries in the West. His approach reflects the same harmful ideology behind recent legislative attacks like the ESA Amendments Act (H.R. 1897), which aims to hollow out the Endangered Species Act.

The Endangered Species Act is one of our nation’s most successful and beloved environmental laws. It has prevented the extinction of more than 99% of listed species — from bald eagles to gray whales — and remains a beacon of bipartisan conservation. What imperiled wildlife need now is a science-driven leader committed to recovery, not one who pushes states to sidestep federal accountability and science.

We are not alone in our concerns. Organizations across the country, including Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, Western Watersheds Project, WildEarth Guardians, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, and GreenLatinos, stood firmly against this nomination. These are frontline groups who have seen the real impacts of policies that erode protections, fragment habitats, and put species on a collision course with extinction.

In the words of our Executive Director, Susan Holmes:

“The Endangered Species Act only works when science leads the way. Political appointees who disregard habitat science, suppress recovery recommendations, or champion premature delisting put our most vulnerable wildlife at grave risk. This confirmation is a setback — but our fight to defend endangered species is far from over.”

We remain committed to holding the Fish and Wildlife Service accountable and to protecting the integrity of the Endangered Species Act against political interference. We urge members of Congress and the public to stand with us and with the science to ensure the future of America’s most at-risk species.

What our partners are saying:

“Nesvik has a track record of favoring industries over wildlife. Ranching and agriculture and extracted industries get all the concessions here in Wyoming,” said Kristin Combs, Executive Director of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates. “There’s no reason to think that it would be any different at the federal level.”

“Rather than ensuring the survival of America’s most at-risk wildlife, Nesvik’s history suggests he will do the opposite—greenlighting more destruction, more killing, and more habitat loss,” said Joanna Zhang, endangered species advocate at WildEarth Guardians. “WildEarth Guardians and our allies will fight every step of the way to hold this administration accountable and protect our nation’s wildlife from this disastrous leadership.”

“Nesvik’s lackadaisical response to the tormenting of that young Wyoming wolf speaks volumes about his lack of care for wildlife,” said Stephanie Kurose, Center for Biological Diversity Deputy Director of Government Affairs. “But his larger record truly underscores how deeply he despises the Fish and Wildlife Service’s fundamental mission. Most Americans want our imperiled wildlife protected, but we can’t count on Nesvik to lift a finger to prevent extinction.”

“Nesvik’s tenure as head of Wyoming Game and Fish prioritized trophy hunts and weakened protections for imperiled species over scientifically sound wildlife management,” said Bradley Williams, Sierra Club’s Deputy Legislative Director for Wildlife and Lands Protection. “One of the USFWS most important roles is upholding the Endangered Species Act, and given his experience, it’s not clear whether Nesvik will be able to fulfill that duty. Unfortunately, it appears that wildlife will pay the price.”

“California’s national wildlife refuges are a cornerstone of Latino communities’ access to nature and biodiversity,” said Pedro Hernandez, California State Program Manager for GreenLatinos. “Our refuge system and successful Endangered Species Act implementation have supported California as a global biodiversity hotspot. Yet, Brian Nesvik’s nomination risks years of progress and his track record threatens to roll back the clock to a time when our refuge system was even more under-resourced and dominated by extractive interests. Our communities can’t afford leadership that deprioritizes science, equity, species protections and ecological integrity.”

“Brian Nesvik has repeatedly used state power to undermine the very laws he’s now charged with upholding. His confirmation as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a gift to extractive industries and a threat to imperiled species across the West,” said Josh Osher, Public Policy Director for Western Watersheds Project. “From sanctioning wolf slaughter to promoting unsustainable livestock grazing on public lands, Nesvik has consistently prioritized industry profits over ecological integrity. We need leadership rooted in science and recovery — not someone who treats the Endangered Species Act as an obstacle to be dismantled.”

“Nesvik has a track record of favoring industries over wildlife. Ranching and agriculture and extracted industries get all the concessions here in Wyoming,” said Kristin Combs, Executive Director of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates. “There’s no reason to think that it would be any different at the federal level.”

“Rather than ensuring the survival of America’s most at-risk wildlife, Nesvik’s history suggests he will do the opposite—greenlighting more destruction, more killing, and more habitat loss,” said Joanna Zhang, endangered species advocate at WildEarth Guardians.

“WildEarth Guardians and our allies will fight every step of the way to hold this administration accountable and protect our nation’s wildlife from this disastrous leadership.”

“Nesvik’s lackadaisical response to the tormenting of that young Wyoming wolf speaks volumes about his lack of care for wildlife,” said Stephanie Kurose, Center for Biological Diversity Deputy Director of Government Affairs. “But his larger record truly underscores how deeply he despises the Fish and Wildlife Service’s fundamental mission. Most Americans want our imperiled wildlife protected, but we can’t count on Nesvik to lift a finger to prevent extinction.”

“Nesvik’s tenure as head of Wyoming Game and Fish prioritized trophy hunts and weakened protections for imperiled species over scientifically sound wildlife management,” said Bradley Williams, Sierra Club’s Deputy Legislative Director for Wildlife and Lands Protection. “One of the USFWS most important roles is upholding the Endangered Species Act, and given his experience, it’s not clear whether Nesvik will be able to fulfill that duty. Unfortunately, it appears that wildlife will pay the price.”

“California’s national wildlife refuges are a cornerstone of Latino communities’ access to nature and biodiversity,” said Pedro Hernandez, California State Program Manager for GreenLatinos. “Our refuge system and successful Endangered Species Act implementation have supported California as a global biodiversity hotspot. Yet, Brian Nesvik’s nomination risks years of progress and his track record threatens to roll back the clock to a time when our refuge system was even more under-resourced and dominated by extractive interests. Our communities can’t afford leadership that deprioritizes science, equity, species protections and ecological integrity.”

“Brian Nesvik has repeatedly used state power to undermine the very laws he’s now charged with upholding. His confirmation as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a gift to extractive industries and a threat to imperiled species across the West,” said Josh Osher, Public Policy Director for Western Watersheds Project. “From sanctioning wolf slaughter to promoting unsustainable livestock grazing on public lands, Nesvik has consistently prioritized industry profits over ecological integrity. We need leadership rooted in science and recovery — not someone who treats the Endangered Species Act as an obstacle to be dismantled.”

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Sea Turtles Won’t Survive the ESA Amendments Act

Endangered Species Coalition — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:30:23 +0000

Sea Turtles Won’t Survive the ESA Amendments Act

Authored by Sarah Masters, policy research intern for Endangered Species Coalition, and Jewel Tomasula, National Policy Director.

About Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are some of the most amazing creatures in our oceans. As keystone species for the world’s waters, these beautiful reptiles keep plankton species in check along with cleaning and maintaining coral reefs and grass beds. Six species of sea turtles live in the oceans surrounding the United States: green, loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles. Nearshore and offshore in-water habitats provide foraging grounds, migratory corridors, mating grounds, and shelter for sea turtles. Many of them make their nests on beaches in places like Florida – where 90% of sea turtles nest in the U.S. – and in locations including Hawaii, Texas, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Like people, sea turtles eat a variety of foods. Some species prefer foods that are see-through and transparent in water, like jellyfish and algae. Because these foods are easily mistaken for floating plastic pollution, one cause of sea turtle endangerment is the accidental consumption of ocean-bourne plastics.

Boat strikes are another major threat to sea turtles. Sea turtles need to come up to the surface to breathe, and that’s when fast-moving boats can hit them. Many sea turtles don’t have time to get out of the way, especially in busy areas with lots of boat traffic. The blunt-force trauma from a boat strike is usually deadly for sea turtles.

The top danger to sea turtles comes from commercial fishing activity. Large fishing industries use nets and hooks that accidentally trap sea turtles. These turtles can’t escape and often drown because they can’t get to the surface to breathe.

Protecting Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), one of the strongest conservation laws in the world! The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a U.S. law passed in 1973 to protect animals and plants that are at risk of extinction. Its main goals are: prevent extinction of endangered and threatened species, protect and restore habitats critical to those species, and promote recovery so species can eventually be removed from the endangered list. The law is administered by two federal agencies: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for land and freshwater species, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for marine species. The ESA prohibits harming listed species and requires federal agencies to ensure their actions don’t jeopardize them or their habitats.

There are two important parts of the ESA that help sea turtles today:

Section 7 requires that any project (like construction near the beach or in the ocean) must avoid harm to sea turtles or the places where they live and nest. Thanks to this part of the law, the Atlantic green sea turtle population grew by 76% between 1979 and 2016!
Section 9 makes it illegal to harm sea turtles or their eggs. This includes the illegal trading of their eggs. This illegal trade undermines decades of conservation efforts, as each stolen egg represents a lost chance for population recovery. As a result of this and other complications, wildlife agency officials, with help from people in the local community, carefully monitor beaches where sea turtles nest to protect them from activities that would hurt them. To protect sea turtles in the water, fishing boats must use special gear like turtle excluder devices, which help the turtles escape from nets. Boats also use special hooks and follow rules to reduce bycatch (accidentally catching turtles).

Another important rule is the Vessel Speed Rule, which sets slow zones for ships along the Atlantic coast. This protection is designed to reduce fatal ship strikes with North Atlantic right whales, but it helps other ocean animals that need to swim to the surface to breathe – including sea turtles.

The Problem with Proposals to Amend the Endangered Species Act

Recently, changes were proposed to the Endangered Species Act through the ESA Amendments Act of 2025. These changes could harm sea turtles in several ways:

Boat strikes could increase. The proposed elimination of vessel slow zones could lead to more turtles being hit by boats. When boats hit sea turtles, they usually suffer serious injuries. Some develop something called Bubble Butt Syndrome, where air gets trapped under their shell after a spinal injury. This makes it hard for them to dive for food or hide due to positive buoyancy, and many can’t survive in the wild.

Left: Image of a sea turtle with Bubble Butt Syndrome, with weights on its back to aid in neutral buoyancy. Right: Image of a sea turtle that was involved in a boat strike. (photo credit: Sarah Masters)

Projects could get a pass to harm sea turtles and their nests. The changes would make it harder for wildlife agencies to stop projects from destroying sea turtle habitat. For example, beach construction or bright lights at night disturb nesting turtles, but these might not be stopped under the ESA amendments.
“Conservation” might be replaced with “regulated taking.” This change would mean more fishing lines and nets in the water, increasing the chances of turtles getting caught or injured.
Faster permitting, fewer protections. Developers would get speedy approval to build or change coastal areas, skipping science-based reviews of how projects impact sea turtles. This makes it harder to protect the nesting grounds that are critical for recovering sea turtle populations.

If legal protections are changed by the U.S. Congress, recovering sea turtles who have benefited from human interventions under the ESA may be at great risk of extinction due to failure to implement conservation practices that will support sea turtle survival.

What You Can Do to Help

Contact your representatives in Congress. Let them know that you care about protecting sea turtles and keeping the ESA strong. Send an email today!
Send sea turtle postcards to policymakers. You can help educate your friends, family or community and take action at the same time by hosting a postcard writing party. Find postcards and toolkits here.
Join conservation efforts. You can volunteer to clean up trash in waterways near you to help stop plastic from making it to the ocean. You can also support sea turtle research and conservation organizations such as the Sea Turtle Conservancy (conserveturtles.org).

Sea turtles have come a long way, but they still need our help. We must make sure that the laws protecting them stay strong.

The post Sea Turtles Won’t Survive the ESA Amendments Act appeared first on Endangered Species Coalition.

Over 150,000 Americans Oppose Trump Administration’s Unprecedented Effort to Eliminate Habitat Protections for Vulnerable Wildlife

Endangered Species Coalition — Mon, 19 May 2025 17:30:00 +0000

Scientists, legal experts, and environmental groups also urge Trump administration to drop proposed rule

WASHINGTON D.C. — Over 150,000 Americans have opposed a proposed rulemaking by the Trump administration to eliminate major habitat protections for endangered species in the U.S. after it was unveiled in April — and as the period for public input concludes today. The proposed rule would rescind the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s and National Marine Fisheries Service’s definitions of what counts as illegal “harm” to threatened and endangered wildlife under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

“Harm” is currently defined to include significant habitat modification that kills or injures species by removing necessities such as food and shelter. The current definition of “harm” is an important tool for habitat conservation that has been in place for over 40 years and was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1995.

It has been integral to the ESA’s role in saving more than 99 percent of species under its protection including the bald eagle, Florida manatee, gray wolf, and many other iconic American wildlife. Even with the incredible success of the ESA, over 90 percent of listed species remain threatened by human-caused habitat destruction. If anything, the case for habitat protection under the ESA has grown even stronger over the years, with mountains of scientific evidence linking habitat and species’ survival.

The ESA was passed by Congress in 1973 with virtually unanimous bipartisan support. The lawmakers behind the ESA knew that scientists — not politicians — should decide whether vulnerable animal and plant species should be protected. In their spirit, three U.S. senators have officially demanded that the Trump administration explain how it came to its determination to eliminate habitat protections for U.S. wildlife and to answer whether industry influence was involved.

Additionally, a group of the nation’s leading scientists and experts on wildlife sent a letter to the Trump administration urging it to abandon the proposed rule, which the scientists state “lacks any scientific basis and misinterprets the Endangered Species Act.” And 25 legal scholars expressed “vehement opposition” to the proposed rule in a letter to the administration. The outpouring of public opposition to the proposed rule change is no surprise. Over 80 percent of Americans support the ESA. Most Americans know how important conserving habitats, lands, and waters are to our everyday lives and that protecting them should be a national priority. The stakes aren’t limited to wildlife — when ecosystems degrade, people suffer from threats to clean water, food security, and public health.

In response to the tens of thousands of Americans who are calling on the Trump administration to abandon its effort to eliminate habitat protections for vulnerable wildlife, 131 environmental and animal welfare groups from across the country issued the following statements:

“Tens of thousands of Americans have rejected the Trump administration’s callous effort to steal habitat away from our endangered species,” said Earthjustice attorney Kristen Boyles. “Trump’s proposed rule recklessly ignores common sense and common science. We’ll do all that we can to ensure vulnerable wildlife continue to have a livable habitat and a chance at survival.”

“Wildlife cannot survive without habitat — that’s not opinion, that’s biology,” said Josh Osher, public policy director for Western Watersheds Project. “This proposed rule is an industry-crafted blueprint for extinction, designed to let corporations destroy the very ground endangered species stand on, while pretending no harm is being done.”

“Loving wildlife is baked into our national heritage. Americans are very proud that our nation has prioritized conserving birds, fish and other wildlife that make our country so special,” said Ramona McGee, leader of the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Wildlife Program. “Here in the South, the stakes are much higher because of our world-renowned biodiversity, which is increasingly at risk from human-made factors like habitat destruction from unchecked, harmful development. It is unconscionable that our leaders are unnecessarily attempting to remove vital wildlife and habitat protections to placate extractive industries.” 

“This nonstarter proposal ignores critical conservation provisions in a law that supports America’s most at-risk fish, wildlife, and plant populations, including over 600 species with habitat in our national parks,” said Christina Hazard, legislative director for the National Parks Conservation Association. “When food sources, nesting grounds or mating grounds are lost outside of national park boundaries, park wildlife will be lost as well.”

“Habitat integrity is among the most significant determinants of species’ survival; this rule change would jeopardize imperiled animals and entire ecosystems,” said Danielle Kessler, US Country Director at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). “Effective, science-driven implementation of the Endangered Species Act–including habitat protection–benefits animals and people alike.”

“The Trump administration is attempting to dismantle and discredit one of America’s most popular and successful laws,” said Sierra Weaver, senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife. “The current definition of ‘harm’ is a large part of what has made the ESA so effective at conserving imperiled species. This isn’t just redefining one word — it is gutting the heart of the Act. It will have cataclysmic consequences to the habitats, lands and waters that America’s wildlife relies upon, and goes against Congress’ intent for the law.”

“Extinction is forever,” says Katherine Miller, Country Director for FOUR PAWS USA. “If we allow the ESA to be weakened and species’ habitats to be destroyed for profit, the consequences of these decisions will reverberate for generations. Science has shown that protecting a listed species’ habitat is vital to their survival and recovery. This is why we urge FWS and NMFS to withdraw their proposed rule and uphold America’s commitment to save endangered species, ensuring a livable planet for all of us.”

“Loss of habitat is the number one reason species become endangered,” said Susan Holmes, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “Trump’s draconian proposal to end habitat protection for our most vulnerable wildlife rips out the heart of the Endangered Species Act and would put countless species on the path to extinction.”

“The Services’ proposal shows they are not serious about protecting imperiled species,” said Rebecca Riley, managing director for Food & Agriculture at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Habitat destruction is the number one threat to species’ survival, and yet they are coming up with weak excuses to claim Congress didn’t intend to address this existential threat.”

“Trump’s smash-and-grab habitat plan could welcome bulldozers and drilling rigs into the beautiful wild places that America’s most imperiled animals call home,” said Tara Zuardo, a senior campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. “The administration’s proposal seeks to rip a bloody hole in the Endangered Species Act, prioritizing industry profits over protecting habitat that’s crucial to preventing extinction. This is an illegal attempt to nullify a landmark wildlife law that’s supported by nearly every American who isn’t an oil executive, a timber baron or a Trump appointee.”

“Piping Plovers were set on a path to extinction due to millinery and hunting at the turn of the 19th century,” said Chris Allieri, founder and executive director, NYC Plover Project. “These are not the challenges the species is currently facing. The number one threat today is habitat loss, wherever they are found, including their wintering and breeding ranges. Without habitat protection, this species, and countless more, will go extinct.”

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Endangered Species Day Marks Its 20th Anniversary

Endangered Species Coalition — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:14:46 +0000

Hundreds of Events Planned Across the U.S. to Celebrate Our Most Endangered Wildlife

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, May 16, thousands of Americans will participate in Endangered Species Day events and activities nationwide, recognizing the public’s commitment to protecting and restoring our disappearing wildlife. This is the 20th annual Endangered Species Day, which is held on the third Friday of May.

Immensely, popular and successful, the Endangered Species Act has been at the core of our country’s commitment to protecting wildlife and the natural world for our children and grandchildren since 1973. Ninety-nine percent of species protected under the Endangered Species Act have been saved from extinction, including the humpback whale and bald eagle. The Endangered Species Act protects over 2,000 species of plants and animals that are threatened or endangered.

This year, Endangered Species Day occurs as thousands of people across the United States speak out against billionaire-backed proposals to weaken environmental protections, including the Endangered Species Act, and call on their elected officials to uphold safeguards for biodiversity.

“Endangered Species Day honors our national responsibility to future generations to be good stewards of nature,” stated Susan Holmes, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition–the primary sponsor of Endangered Species Day. “The Endangered Species Act is our safety net for fish, plants, and wildlife on the brink of extinction. Because of the Endangered Species Act, gray whales still swim our oceans, peregrine falcons still soar our skies, and polar bears roam the arctic tundra.”

Endangered Species Day was first created by the U.S. Senate in 2006, when it unanimously designated May 11, 2006, as the first ever “Endangered Species Day” to encourage “the people of the United States to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide.”

The Endangered Species Act was passed because Americans believed then, as they do now, that protecting our wildlife is a moral imperative and a responsibility to future generations. It protects more than our fellow creatures; it also safeguards our nation’s environmental health and the heart of the American way of life.

Congress, states, and towns across the country also recognize Endangered Species Day. In Boone and Chapel Hill, NC, the towns will vote on proclamations tomorrow designating May 16th, 2025, as Endangered Species Day to show their support for the Endangered Species Act and its protections of our most vulnerable wildlife, like the Hellbender.

On May 16th, and throughout the month, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, parks, botanic gardens, schools, libraries, museums, and community groups will hold Endangered Species Day events. Some highlights include:

A nationwide chalk art contest, hosted by the Endangered Species Coalition;
Colorado Endangered Species Week, a week of free educational events and fun advocacy opportunities to protect the plant and animal species at risk in Colorado, including a discussion about Colorados Wolverine reintroduction an evening bat walk, a celebration of CO public lands, and an auction, hosted by Rocky Mountain Wild and Bat Conservation International;
Special exhibits and activities at zoos nationwide are part of AZA’s Party for the Planet celebrations. Party for the Planet offers families unique opportunities to visit their local AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium, celebrate the Earth’s biodiversity, and learn how they can take action to make a difference. This year, they focus on three action areas: Conserve, Create, and Connect to nature.
Pollinator garden plantings in states across the U.S. to create habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinator species.
Community Science projects involve volunteers using a phone app to find and record as many species as possible in a specific location.
Film screenings and postcard parties- ESC put together a list of films on endangered species and their habitats for individuals to organize events for their friends and families, and take action to protect them afterward.

These and other events are listed in an event directory on the Endangered Species Day website.

In addition to the Endangered Species Coalition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), numerous conservation, education, community and youth organizations have also supported and participated in Endangered Species Day, including the Girl Scouts USA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Smithsonian, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, and many more.

Visit www.EndangeredSpeciesDay.org for more information on Endangered Species Day, including event locations and a variety of educational resource materials.

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Endangered Species Coalition Responds to Republican-led Congressional Attacks on Endangered Species Act and Gray Wolves

Endangered Species Coalition — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:18:56 +0000

Groups express wide opposition to proposed legislation.

Washington, D.C. —Today, the Republican-led House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries will consider legislation that would dramatically weaken the widely popular Endangered Species Act (ESA) and strip protections for gray wolves in 48 states.

The first bill — the “ESA Amendments Act of 2025” — would gut the critical protections that the ESA provides for thousands of imperiled species, upend the scientific consultation process (which has been the cornerstone of American species protection for 50 years), slow listings to a crawl while fast-tracking delistings, and allow much more exploitation of threatened species and shift their management out of federal hands to the states, even while they are still nationally listed.

The second bill — the so-called “Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025″ — would reissue the first Trump administration’s delisting of the gray wolf across most of the U.S. and bar judicial review of that action. In 2022, a federal court reversed this delisting, after conservation groups challenged it.

In addition to the Republican-led Congressional attacks on the ESA and gray wolves, the Trump administration recently terminated hundreds of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees — nearly 5 percent of the agency’s workforce — which is already critically understaffed. Without those employees, it will be even harder for disappearing vulnerable species to receive crucial protections, and for vitally important ecosystems across the U.S. to remain intact.

In response to attempts to undermine the ESA and delist gray wolves, organizations from across the country sent a letter to HNR leadership outlining opposition to the bills. Additionally, groups from the Endangered Species Coalition issued the following statements:

“These attempts to weaken the Endangered Species Act, or to go around it by picking off species like the gray wolf, represent a fundamental disconnect between a small number of legislators and millions of Americans,” said Earthjustice legislative director for lands, wildlife, and oceans Addie Haughey. “The ESA — and the iconic species it protects — enjoys immense support across the political spectrum. If these bills move forward, Congress will be acting against popular will and ignoring science to sacrifice the wildlife we love and the ecosystems we rely on.”

“Congressman Westerman’s bill would eviscerate the Endangered Species Act and push imperiled species to extinction,” said Ellen Richmond, senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife. “The Endangered Species Act is the backstop for our nation’s wildlife already at the brink of extinction and this bill would sanction their swift descent into nothingness. We urge our representatives in Congress to listen to the American public’s overwhelming support for the Endangered Species Act and reject this disastrous bill which does nothing to strengthen wildlife protections and instead reverses decades of conservation success.”

“We are in a biodiversity crisis, and Congress is playing with fire. These bills would accelerate extinction at a time when we can least afford it,” said Josh Osher, public policy director for Western Watersheds Project. “The Endangered Species Act isn’t just about saving wolves, grizzlies, or sea turtles—it’s about protecting the ecosystems that sustain us all. Weakening these protections pushes our planet further into collapse. Congress must open its eyes and reject these reckless attacks before it’s too late.”

“These extreme bills would gut protections for wildlife under the Endangered Species Act. They are being introduced against a backdrop of sudden and indiscriminate firings across the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, robbing these agencies of the experts who implement these crucial protections based on the best available science,” said Susan Millward, executive director and chief executive officer for the Animal Welfare Institute. “These assaults on wildlife protections come at a time of staggering biodiversity loss, and imperiled species don’t have the luxury of waiting out these political games.”

“Extinction is forever,” says Katherine Miller, Country Director for FOUR PAWS USA. ” If we allow the protections afforded by the ESA to be weakened and undermined by legislation like this, the consequences of these decisions will reverberate for generations. The ESA protects both iconic native species like Bald eagles and non-native species like Bengal tigers. It has also protected millions of acres of habitat, ensuring a livable planet for all of us.”

“The ESA Amendments Act of 2025, introduced by Representative Westerman, is severely out of step with how most Americans view and support wildlife protection. It prioritizes big industry and special interests ahead of decades-long, science-based protections that work,” said Chris Allieri, executive director and founder, NYC Plover Project. “Radicals in Congress are fast-tracking extinction and looking to severely weaken, if not entirely remove, bedrock environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.”

“The Endangered Species Act is one of the country’s most popular and successful conservation laws, and Donald Trump wants to throw it in the garbage to pad the bottom lines of his corporate supporters,” said Bradley Williams, Sierra Club’s Deputy Legislative Director for Wildlife and Lands Protection. “Since Day One of his administration, Trump has shown again and again that he wants to hand over control of our public lands and waters to billionaires and corporations. Imperiled wildlife will suffer the consequences. For more than 50 years, the United States has made amazing progress bringing species back from the brink of extinction. It’s because of the ESA that species like the grizzly bear and bald eagle are living symbols of America and not just photos in a history book. If Trump and his allies in Congress get their way, that progress won’t just come to a screeching halt – it could be completely reversed.”

“For decades, the Endangered Species Act has been a critical lifeline in preventing the irreversible loss of our nation’s wildlife. Legislation like H.R. 845 and H.R. 1897 would undermine this powerful tool against extinction and jeopardize ongoing recovery efforts of our iconic native species, like the gray wolf.” said Jennifer Eskra, Director of Legislative Affairs at Humane World Action Fund “At a time of growing biodiversity loss, it is essential that legislators prioritize science over politics and stand with the millions of Americans who support the ESA.”

“The Endangered Species Act is one of America’s most respected and successful conservation laws. Unfortunately, Representative Westerman’s ESA amendments are crafted for greedy billionaires clinging to a 19th-century vision of plundering the planet,” said Endangered Species Coalition National Policy Director Jewel Tomasula. “This bill would devastate the sea turtles people love to see at the beach, the bumblebees that pollinate our food crops, and the spotted owls that indicate healthy forests. This bill would destroy wildlife and wild places, not protect them.”

“These reckless attacks on the Endangered Species Act and gray wolves are nothing more than a giveaway to industry at the expense of our nation’s most imperiled wildlife,” said Joanna Zhang, endangered species advocate at WildEarth Guardians. “Gutting protections for species on the brink of extinction is not reform—it’s a death sentence. Americans overwhelmingly support the ESA because it works, and we urge our representatives in Congress not to stand by while Trump and his allies try to dismantle one of our most effective conservation laws.”

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Together We Have Power to Stop Trump and Congress from Gutting Protections for Endangered Species and Marine Mammals

Endangered Species Coalition — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:14:55 +0000

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are unjustly firing thousands of federal employees who make the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act work. They have also frozen funding for nonprofit organizations that partner with the agencies to conserve wildlife.

In addition, they are devising new policies to undo vital species protections. And, leaders in Congress are seeking to rewrite wildlife laws to favor wealthy industry bosses.

The damage is already being done to wildlife and the people who work to protect them. We’ve heard stories of endangered species recovery efforts being stalled and outright stopped. When species are on the brink, delay often means doom.

But our community has power if we speak with one voice. Now is the time for collective action to turn up the heat. Congress needs to be the check on executive power that they’re supposed to be.

What can we do?

Pressure Members of Congress with emails, calls, on social media, and asking questions at town halls or other events.

Send an email to your Representative and Senators

Tweet to your Representative and Senators

Script to Call Your Representative

Hello. My name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [TOWN, STATE]. I am a constituent.

I urge the Representative to support the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and reject actions to dismantle and rewrite these laws.

Thank you.

Get ready to organize by watching Activist Training Lab videos on YouTube.

Make in-person connections with other wildlife advocates and take action together. Need a starting point? Check out our coalition member organizations.

Learn More about What’s Happening

A ‘recipe for extinction’: can the US’s envied nature protections survive Trump and his ‘God squad’? (The Guardian). A slew of early actions by the Trump administration has set about throwing open more land and waters for the fossil fuel industry, triggering the reversal of regulations that strengthen the Endangered Species Act.

Trump’s job cuts at this overlooked agency put every American at risk (Vox). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service terminated around 420 employees who were newly hired or recently promoted, amounting to about 5 percent of the agency’s workforce.

Leaked emails show the nation’s leading wildlife agency has halted critical funding for conservation (Vox). Several nonprofit organizations that receive funding from the Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed with Vox that they received stop-work orders.

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Trump Administration Declares a War on Wildlife with Nomination of Brian Nesvik

Endangered Species Coalition — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 21:49:46 +0000

For Immediate Release

Feb 12, 2025

Contact: Susan Holmes- (202)329-1553

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, reports emerged that Donald Trump has nominated former Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nevsik as the next Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Nesvik’s nomination has been referred to the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal agency charged with protecting endangered species and migratory birds and manages nearly 860 million acres of national wildlife refuges. Roughly 8,000 people work to carry out its mission to “conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats…”

Statement by Susan Holmes, Executive Director

“Nesvik’s nomination is devastating news for wildlife and endangered species. During his time as Director of Wyoming Fish and Game, he repeatedly called for weakening the Endangered Species Act, oversaw a 50% increase in hunting tags for mountain lions and black bears, and testified before the U.S. Congress that grizzly bears should lose endangered species protections, “by whatever means is necessary.” Last year, his Commission received global condemnation for imposing only a minimal fine when a Wyoming man used a snowmobile to run down and brutally torture a young female wolf. There is no doubt that if confirmed as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he will do the Trump Administration’s bidding to advance unchecked drilling, mining, and logging of fragile wildlife habitats. He will sacrifice our precious endangered species for industry profits at every turn. It will be a war on wildlife that will wreak havoc on the protection and recovery of species from grizzlies to sea turtles to monarch butterflies.”

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Statement on Fish & Wildlife Service’s Grizzly Bear Proposal

Endangered Species Coalition — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:08:58 +0000

Proposed rule keeps federal protections in place for grizzly bears in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington, removes protections for the remaining Lower-48 Population

Media Contacts

Susan Holmes, Endangered Species Coalition, 202-329-1553, sholmes@endangered.org

Adam Rissien, WildEarth Guardians, 406-370-3147, arissien@wildearthguardians.org

Kristin Combs, Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, 307-200-3057, kristin@wyowild.org

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) rejected petitions from the states of Wyoming and Montana to strip federal Endangered Species Act protections from grizzly bears in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The announcement recognizes that grizzly bears are not yet recovered in the region and need federal protection. While the agency rejected the state petitions, it also proposed a rule to create a new management area for populations of grizzlies in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington. The proposal would also remove ESA protections for grizzly bears outside that area, and loosen restrictions for when bears can be killed. Today’s decision also addresses a court-ordered settlement with the State of Idaho, which petitioned USFWS to delist all grizzly bears in the lower 48 states.

Grizzly bears, once numbering roughly 50,000, were eliminated from 98% of their former range in the lower-48 states and reduced to about 2% of their former numbers. Today, grizzlies occupy only 4% of their former range, with fewer than 2,200 in the lower-48 states.

In response to today’s announcement, the following organizations, Endangered Species Coalition, Friends of the Bitterroot, Friends of the Clearwater, WildEarth Guardians, and Wyoming Wildlife Advocates issued a joint statement:

“We thank the Biden Administration for keeping grizzlies listed under the Endangered Species Act in the Northern Rockies and Washington, but we are disappointed with the proposal to remove protections for the remaining states in the Lower-48. With the current threat of habitat loss and climate change, grizzlies have a ways to go until they are recovered. Importantly, the States of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming are grossly unprepared to manage grizzlies and have adopted anti-predator policies that would reverse the recovery of this iconic native species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should be commended for keeping grizzly bears protected under the Endangered Species Act in the Northern Rockies and rejecting state management that would undo decades of conservation work that has helped us make tremendous progress toward bringing back a species that was almost wiped out. At the same time, we are disappointed the agency is proposing to remove protections outside the Northern Rockies and Washington, essentially giving up on returning grizzlies to much of their historic range. We are also concerned that the agency’s proposed rule to provide more management flexibility will result in more grizzly bear mortality within areas where they remain protected.

We will participate in the rulemaking process to ensure that any new rule is informed by the best available science and modern conservation practices. This includes adopting a new recovery vision for grizzly bears that fosters a unified population with natural connectivity, increased habitat protection, and non-lethal conflict reduction. These actions will help us achieve a real and lasting recovery of grizzly bears in the Northern Rockies, Washington, and potentially suitable habitat.”

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of a petition filed by 15 national, regional, and state environmental, tribal, and animal welfare groups to the USFWS to adopt a new approach to recovering grizzly bears in the U.S. Northern Rockies. The petition, filed in December, was based on a new science-based report by Dr. Christopher Servheen, the former USFWS Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator who served in that role from 1981-2016. The report details site-specific management actions to aid in the bears’ recovery and calls for a new approach to managing the bears as one unified population with natural connectivity between ecosystems rather than continuing with the current practice of managing isolated populations of bears.

The USFWS’s proposed rule will initiate a new rulemaking process that includes an environmental analysis and a public comment period. If approved, the new rule likely will not take effect for at least one year.

Reporter Resources: Dr. Servheen’s report and the USFWS petition are available here: https://earthjustice.org/grizzly

Background:

In early 2023, in response to state petitions, the USFWS made an initial finding indicating grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem might warrant removal as a threatened species. The Fish and Wildlife Service initially rejected a petition from the state of Idaho to delist grizzly bears across all of the continental United States but later agreed in a court settlement that it would consider Idaho’s petition by January 2026.

Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming have indicated that they will likely manage for a bare minimum number of bears in populations that are isolated from each other. Montana has drafted a statewide management plan for grizzly bears that indicates a reduced tolerance for grizzly bear presence in some areas, as well as a lack of commitment to naturally connecting and recovering isolated populations of grizzly bears. Additionally, the Montana Legislature recently passed a bill that allows livestock owners to kill grizzly bears that are attacking or “threatening” livestock, even on public land, far from ranches or communities and another that legalizes hunting and chasing black bears with dogs, a practice that unnecessarily increases mortality risk to grizzly bears.

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Remembering Grizzly 399 – The Queen of the Tetons

Endangered Species Coalition — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:42:36 +0000

Grizzly 399 was far more than “just a bear.” She was legendary. She became a symbol of resilience, beauty, and the wild spirit of the Teton Range. Her passing marks the end of an era, and it is with a deep sense of reverence that we reflect on her remarkable story.

Purchase a Grizzly 399 memorial shirt through FLOAT through the end of the year and $8 from your purchase will directly support our work to keep these majestic bears protected.

Grizzly 399, often referred to as the “Queen of the Tetons,” captivated the hearts of many who were fortunate enough to witness her majestic presence. She was not only one of the most photographed bears in North America but also a mother of extraordinary resilience. Born in the wilds of the Teton wilderness, 399’s journey was one of survival, motherhood, and the complex relationship between humans and wildlife.

She was born in 1996 and came to be the bear we know today in 2006, when she first rose to prominence as a young mother with her three cubs. She navigated the challenges of motherhood in a landscape that was both perilous and beautiful. Over the years, 399 became a familiar face in the Teton National Park and the surrounding areas, often seen with her cubs, teaching them the ways of the wild. Her ability to thrive in such a challenging environment became a testament to the strength and intelligence of the grizzly bear. Despite the dangers she faced, including human encounters and changing landscapes, Grizzly 399 remained an enduring figure.

Memorialize 399’s legacy and help to keep grizzly bears across the West protected under the Endangered Species Act with your shirt purchase through FLOAT. This is only available for a limited time and your purchase directly supports the Endangered Species Coalition’s work to keep bears protected.

Her legacy is not just one of survival but of connection. 399 fostered an incredible awareness about wildlife conservation, helping to foster a greater respect for the need to protect grizzly bears and their habitats. Her unique relationship with the public also highlighted the importance of responsible wildlife viewing, education, and conservation efforts.

While we will deeply miss Grizzly 399, her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who admired her, and in the ongoing conservation efforts that will ensure the protection of her kin and the Teton ecosystem.

Join us in honoring and celebrating Grizzly 399 with your shirt purchase through FLOAT this week. The proceeds from the sale of this shirt directly support the Endangered Species Coalition’s work to keep grizzly bears protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Thank you for your commitment to wildlife and wild places.

Sincerely,

Susan Holmes
Executive Director

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Elections, Activist Training Lab, Grizzlies, Pollinators, 30×30, and more in the Saving Species Newsletter

Endangered Species Coalition — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 14:45:22 +0000

The last few weeks have not been easy. I hope everyone is doing well. I have been reaching out to friends and family – and doing a lot of hugging.

And our community is coming together. I was recently so grateful to you all for your tremendous generosity on Giving Tuesday. Thanks to you, we smashed our goal of $10,000, bringing in a total $13,401.

It has also been helpful to reflect on ESC’s history.

The Endangered Species Coalition was born in 1981 — a time of grave danger for wildlife. Concerned about efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act during its 1982 reauthorization, conservation leaders from the National Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, Environmental Defense Fund, Earthjustice, and World Wildlife Fund realized that we needed to foster a grassroots force for endangered species. Thus, the ESC was born, and this synergistic movement has grown to over 400 member organizations, 500,000 supporters, and sentinels, defeating every major effort since to undermine the ESA.

We are not afraid of a fight.

And we know one is coming. During the last Trump Administration, we saw new regulations to delist gray wolves across the U.S. and to weaken habitat protections. With a pliant Congress and an even more radical agenda, we know that bedrock laws critical to wildlife are on the chopping block.

But I have hope. Here at ESC our amazing staff is dedicated to one thing, protecting biodiversity. Last week we met for three days to plan our strategy. We have champions in Congress, groups around the country and a powerful community of 500,000 members — we will be mobilizing them all.

This is what gives me hope: our collective love of wildlife, belief in humanity, and commitment to our community. We know that 84% of Americans support a strong Endangered Species Act. We are in this together.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are stronger.

Hugs,

Susan

Endangered Species Policy in 2024 and Beyond

By Endangered Species Coalition

After the consequential United States 2024 elections, one thing remains unchanged – human activities are driving over one million species to extinction. President-elect Trump and the Congressional majority are no friends to wildlife. They will seek to end protections for vulnerable species like wolves, grizzlies, and whales, and roll back the Endangered Species Act itself. Endangered Species Coalition commits to educating, organizing, and mobilizing people who love wildlife so together we can stop their extinction agenda before cherished plant and animal species are lost forever.

Organizing for Biodiversity – ESC’s Activist Training Lab and New National Grassroots Organizer

By Dalton George, National Grassroots Organizer

Greetings from the mountains of beautiful Boone, North Carolina. Since our last newsletter, I’ve joined the Endangered Species Coalition team as the new National Grassroots Organizer! I am excited to contribute to the work of the ESC team and coalition.

This Fall, I joined other ESC staff and several member groups in Washington, D.C., for a rally supporting the Tribal Heritage and American Bison, Grizzly Bear, and Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Act. Joining with member groups, I met with North Carolina legislators to discuss critical legislation to protect and improve biodiversity.

I’ve also been hard at work leading the Activist Training Lab. Read more…

The Northern Rockies—Grizzly Bears and a Farewell

By Derek Goldman, Northern Rockies Representative

At the time of this writing, fall is (finally) settling in here in western Montana. Following an extended dry summer, it has begun to snow in the high country. No doubt, grizzly bears are deep in hyperphagia—the annual biological cycle where bears seek to consume as many calories as possible to prepare their bodies for a long winter of hibernation.

The Endangered Species Coalition is also preparing. We anticipate an announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the next few months that could change the trajectory of grizzly bear recovery in the western U.S., and we are raising the alarm. Read more…

Biodiversity in 30×30 at the America the Beautiful for All Coalition inaugural conference

By Jewel Tomasula, Policy Advisor

With only five years left to achieve the national and global goal to conserve 30% of lands and waters by 2030 (“30×30”), the America the Beautiful for All Coalition held its inaugural conference to discuss top priorities for conservation justice in 2025 and beyond. The Endangered Species Coalition was involved in planning the conference and leading two breakout sessions.

The “Equity-centric Biodiversity Conservation Planning” session highlighted how unjust planning practices have shaped biodiversity loss and discussed how our movement must center the needs of disenfranchised communities in participatory science and biodiversity restoration. Then, the session “More than Acres: Ensuring Effective and Equitable Conservation Beyond 30×30 in Ocean and Coastal Stewardship” called attention to the need for management plans, endangered species and clean water protections, and other tools to ensure that designated protected areas support the biodiversity that communities rely on.

Throughout the conference, people spoke of protecting lands and waters for the wildlife cherished by our communities and sacred to many cultures. We look forward to the new era of bringing the conservation and environmental justice movements together with the America the Beautiful for All Coalition.

Endangered Species Coalition Member Group Highlight

By Tara Thornton, Director of Institutional Engagement

ESC leads the grassroots movement to protect threatened and endangered species and to defend the Endangered Species Act. We believe power is an abundant resource that grows as it is shared.

In each newsletter, we highlight one of our over 400 member organizations and their incredible work to save species and habitats

One of ESC’s newest member groups, Species Unite, is leading the way in lessening animal suffering and promoting coexistence. Read more…

Colorado Border Buffer Zone

By Ryan Sedgeley, Southern Rockies Representative

Wolves don’t understand political boundaries. They need to roam to ensure genetic diversity and to follow prey. Soon, it is likely that Colorado’s state-protected wolves find their way to Wyoming, where they lack any protection. Last year’s horrifying incident in Daniel, Wyoming, where a young female wolf was tortured and killed, illustrates the potential fate for Colorado’s wolves that cross the state border.

That is why the Endangered Species Coalition is calling for the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to ban the killing or harassment of gray wolves on their lands. Specifically we want to see these protections in the Medicine Bow National Forest and the land managed in the Rock Springs Field Office.

The agencies have the power to do this, and they should. We hope you will join us in calling for a protective buffer zone for wolves in Wyoming along the northern border of Colorado.

Pollinator Protectors Case Studies

By Jeanne Dodds, Creative Engagement Director

We’re enthusiastic about sharing 2024 Pollinator Protectors campaign success stories with you. What does Pollinator Protectors do, and who benefits from this program? Through Pollinator Protectors, ESC creates native habitat for pollinators and provides outreach and education experiences for communities. Pollinator Protectors allocates small grants for native plant material and related supplies, enabling our partners to create habitat and provide educational events. These projects benefit imperiled native pollinating species, native plants, and communities. Read more…

Endangered Species Coalition Leads in Keeping Washington Wolves Protected.

By John Rosapepe, Pacific Northwest Representative

A seventeen-month fight to strip Washington State wolves of protection afforded under the state endangered species act was finally defeated by a 5 to 4 vote at the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s July meeting.

Endangered Species Coalition staff and our Washington State volunteers led the grassroots efforts in opposition to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s proposed downlisting of the wolf’s status from endangered to sensitive.

State protection for wolves is important as wolves are only protected in the western two-thirds of the state under the Endangered Species Act. Read more…

Creative Engagement – Announcing Collaborating for Biodiversity

By Jeanne Dodds, Creative Engagement Director

It’s never been more important for people and communities to collaborate to ensure that our shared future is biodiverse. That’s why ESC has developed a new creative opportunity for youth grades K-12: Collaborating for Biodiversity. Building on the success of our 2023 Collaborating for Wildlife and Plants call to youth artists in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, we are expanding with a new collaborative call to youth artists during the current academic year.

Later this year and in early 2025, we will be sending out updates about how educators and students can join the Collaborating for Biodiversity project, including opportunities for youth artists grades K-12 to collaboratively create works of art in a range of media. The platform for artwork submissions will open in January and close in April 2025. Collaborating for Biodiversity will center species listed, proposed for listing, or recovered from the Endangered Species Act. We will emphasize the creation of artworks increasing awareness of the importance of biodiversity. Read more…

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